Fighting Eagles Cadets Begin 2021 Winter Quarter with ACFT and Leadership Lab

It was an auspicious start to the 2021 Winter Quarter with some nice sunrises seen over the campus of Eastern Washington University.

Cadet Hall

The view across the EWU campus.

The view over the Communications Building and southern Cheney.

ACFT

Before Cadets from the EWU Army ROTC “Fighting Eagles” battalion could see any sunrise, they had to get up early to take  the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).  The ACFT was held under the bright lights shining on the Inferno at Roos Field.  It is always a great experience for the Cadets to do physical training on the famous red turf of Eastern’s home football field.

Cadets conduct the hand release pushup event on the Inferno at Roos Field.

The ACFT is supposed to become the test of record for the U.S. Army within the next two years.  The ACFT assesses Soldiers on six events:

  • Deadlift
  • Power Throw
  • Hand Release Pushups
  • Sprint-Drag-Carry
  • Leg Tuck
  • 2-Mile Run

Unlike the prior Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the ACFT is both age and gender neutral for scoring. Scoring instead of age and gender will be based on a Soldier’s job. Non-combat MOS’s have the lowest minimum standards while Combat Arms have the highest standards. EWU Army ROTC conducts ACFT testing every quarter to ensure Cadets can continue to assess their progress at improving in each event of this new test.

Leadership Lab

During the weekly leadership lab held each Thursday, the Fighting Eagles Cadets conducted a welcome back lab.  During the lab the Cadets conducted icebreaker events to welcome new Cadets into the program.  .

Cadets line up for first formation.

Cadet Olivia Roble conducts icebreakers with her squad to welcome new Cadets.

After conducting these icebreakers they then conducted a review or upcoming training events and some initial skills training with the new Cadets.

Cadets conduct initial movement skills training.

After the lab the new Cadets began their process of receiving their initial entry gear from the Cadet Hall supply room.  It was great to see a high number of new Cadets at lab and we hope they all have a great experience in ROTC.  You can view more pictures from the lab on our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.

Go ROTC!  Go Fighting Eags!

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